Creamy Spinach and Mushroom Orzo (30 Minutes, ONE-PAN) Recipe
This delicious and comforting Creamy Spinach and Mushroom Orzo is a one-pan meal ready in just 30 minutes. Sautéed baby bella mushrooms combined with flavorful orzo pasta simmered in chicken broth, garlic, and aromatic herbs, finished with fresh spinach and creamy heavy cream, make a perfect weeknight dinner that’s both simple and satisfying.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Mushrooms
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 8 oz baby bella mushrooms or crimini, sliced
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Creamy Orzo
- 1 cup uncooked orzo pasta
- 2 cups chicken broth or stock
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning or Herbs from Provence
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika (or more to taste)
- ¼ teaspoon salt (or more, to taste)
- 5 oz fresh spinach
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (or more to taste)
Instructions
- Cook Mushrooms: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large, high-sided, heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sliced mushrooms and season generously with salt and pepper. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes until the mushrooms are lightly browned and softened. Remove half of the cooked mushrooms and set aside on a plate.
- Make Creamy Orzo: In the same skillet with the remaining cooked mushrooms, add the uncooked orzo, chicken broth, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, and ¼ teaspoon salt. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low to simmer. Cook for about 5 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, until the orzo is tender and cooked through.
- Add Spinach and Cream: During the last 5 minutes of cooking, stir in the fresh spinach allowing it to wilt. Once wilted, pour in the ½ cup heavy cream. Stir gently over low to medium heat ensuring the sauce thickens slightly without coming to a boil.
- Finish and Serve: Season with additional salt and smoked paprika if desired. Fold in the reserved half of the cooked mushrooms. When ready to serve, sprinkle the creamy orzo with a small amount of red pepper flakes to add a gentle kick of heat.
Notes
- Use chicken broth or vegetable broth for a vegetarian version.
- Adjust smoked paprika and red pepper flakes to your preferred spice level.
- Fresh spinach can be substituted with frozen spinach, but use less liquid and add it earlier as frozen spinach releases water.
- Make sure not to overcook the orzo to keep a pleasant al dente texture.
- For a richer dish, use full-fat heavy cream; for a lighter option, substitute with half-and-half or a creamy non-dairy milk.
Keywords: creamy orzo recipe, spinach and mushroom orzo, one-pan dinner, easy weeknight meal, mushroom pasta, creamy pasta recipe
